(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- It’s notorious, it’s downright scary…and it’s all ours. Come celebrate Pinelands lore during an all-ages Jersey Devil Palooza at the Ocean County Library Toms River Branch, on Friday, October 20.  The event begins at 10:30am.

Highlighting the family-friendly day of folklore and fun will be an exploration of the legend of the Jersey Devil by Frank Esposito, co-author of The Secret History of the Jersey Devil: How Quakers, Hucksters and Benjamin Franklin Created a Monster.

Also on the schedule of events is an “In The Pines Storytime” for the little ones, a special performance by the WREP troupe (“When Radio Entertained People), and more events for all ages.

Dr. Frank J. Esposito  (shown above) is a Distinguished Professor of History and Education and former Interim President of Kean University. He is the author of 11 books and over 100 journal and newspaper articles. 

The Secret History of the Jersey Devil, was co-authored with Brian Regal and published by Johns Hopkins Press, and is available at the Ocean County Library.

According to the Pinelands Alliance, tales of the Jersey Devil’s origins date back more than 250 years. It’s described as kangaroo-like, with the face of a horse on a head the shape of a dog’s, bat-like wings, horns and a tail. The demon sis said to lurk in the forests and even in towns, and was the bane of farmers by laying waste to crops and animals.

Please register for this free program at www.theoceancountylibrary.org/events. For more information, stop by the OCL Toms River Branch, 101 Washington Street, or call (732) 349-6200. 

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